Until
a few days ago, K. Kangeyan, a postman in Anna Road head post office, used to
carry a sheaf of papers along with the mails and articles when he steps out for
delivery. Now, he just carries a smart phone to get digital signatures as
acknowledgement from postal customers.
The
postal department recently introduced postman mobile application, which is a
pilot project to enable postmen immediately upload delivery.
The
real-time delivery update through mobile application will help customer keep a
tab on the mail delivery to the destination.
As
of now, postmen in the Anna Road HPO are part of the pilot project to cover
delivery of registered posts, speed posts, electronic money orders and parcels.
On an average, a postman delivers a minimum of 60-70 such mails and articles
daily and updates the delivery data only in the evening.
Officials
of the postal department said this move will help the postmen update information
about the delivery instantly and enable customers to track the movement and
know the status of delivery faster. The application was developed by Centre for
Excellence in Postal Technology, Mysuru.
Postmaster
General (Mails and Business Development) J.T. Venkateswarulu said: “Once the
customer digitally signs on the mobile phone, the delivery details will be
immediately uploaded to the central server and update all records. We will
extend the system to other post offices depending on the results of the
project. The department also plans to provide handsets to postmen during
expansion of the service.” Meanwhile, residents of Pattabiram complained that
the acknowledgement receipt provided in some of the post office for booking
speed posts and parcels was not legible as the computer peripherals were poorly
maintained.
T.
Sadagopan, president of Progressive Consumer Centre, said the acknowledgment
receipt is often used as evidence for RTI applications and also help track
speed posts and parcels. “In Pattabiram main post office, the printed receipt
is unclear because of badly maintained printers. Bill receipts for electricity
charges are also issued in the same way for the past one month,” he said.
Officials
of the postal department said the issue will be sorted soon.
